4th Annual Kitsap Wine Festival

Last weekend I had the pleasure to enjoy the 4^th Annual Kitsap Wine Festival at the Harborside Fountain Park in Bremerton, Washington.  This event brought together some of the best wineries within Washington and Oregon in order to raise money to benefit the Harrison Medical Center Foundation.

Besides enjoying amazing wines there was also delicious food and brews to enjoy.  It was well worth the entrance fee and I was especially impressed with the overall organization.

I would like to share some of my favorites from the day.  I recently listed in a former blog other wineries that also were present at this event but since I did a recent review of their wines I felt it was important to bring you some new wineries to explore. 

Hightower Cellars – Red Mountain, Washington

Out of Line 2009 – a Blend – Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot – rich, structured and a little complex.  It has a gentle nose with a mild finish.

Pepper Bridge 2008 – 100% Merlot – mild in nose, slight taste of tannins, very mild for a merlot.  Acceptable.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 – 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot – nose is lovely and I feel the essence of fruit deep in my nose as I enjoy the aroma.  The taste is a nice blend and mild.

Pondera Winery – Woodinville, Washington

Malbec 2009 – excellent, not over powering with a lovely color.

Chardonnay 2011 – crisp, fruity with a touch of new French oak.

Forgeron Cellars – Walla Walla, Washington

Chardonnay 2010 – lovely, crisp and not over oaky.  Refreshing.

Naches Heights Vineyard – Yakima, Washington

Syrah 2010 – beautiful color with a deep rich taste.  The nose was mild but interesting.

Vuja De Rose – crisp, light with good flavor of fruit.  Very enjoyable.

Laurelhurst Cellars – Seattle, Washington

Red Wine – Blend – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc, and Malbec – old vines, bold flavor, excellent taste.

Cabernet Sauvignon – old vines, good nose, fantastic flavor!!

Knight Hill – Zillah, Washington

Syrah 2009 – good color, great nose but strong in tannins.

Domingos Hermanos – Salta, Argentina

Finca Domingo Torrontes 2011 – White – No Oak!!  Crisp, delicious, full fruit flavor.  Nose and taste are wonderful.  You will really enjoy this wine done in the Argentine style.

Finca Domingo Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 – rich in color and unbelievable rich earthy tones.  I could taste everything that had once grown in the soil and it was the most amazing complex, bold flavor.  Loved it!!

Finca Domingo Malbec 2011 – very mild nose but deep rich color.  The taste was mild and not over powering but complex without over doing it.  A simple easy Malbec that expands in taste with each sip.

Arch Terrace Wines – Benton City, Washington

Chardonnary 2009 – Light, crisp and not oaky, very enjoyable.

Merlot 2008 – Good in flavor and not too bold.

Wachtler Winery – Gig Harbor, Washington

Syrah 2010 – color was good.  Nose was gentle but rich in fruity aroma.  It had a mild finish and was delicious.

Malbec 2009 – Beautiful color, nose was gentle but seductive.  Really enjoyed this Malbec.

Note:  This winery is young but the wine master has a palate that is spot on and I look forward to enjoying his wine year after year.

Angel Vine – Carlton, Oregon

Zinfandel  2009 (Red) – light in taste with nice color. Lovely.

The Morgster 2010 – Pint Noir – this was something special from the wine maker himself.  Not on the list for tasting, he opened one of his special bottles so we could taste his personal creation.  It was wonderful!!   I hope he produces more.

So many wines, so little time.  If there was one drawback it would be the limited amount of time for this event.  2pm to 5:30pm is not a lot of time to sip and enjoy over 30 wineries.  I hope you will put this event on your calendar for next year, Saturday August 17, 2013.  Until then……Cheers! LD